• Early Literacy: The budget provides an additional $26.9 million to improve early literacy and to support the implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act next year. This includes money for additional reading specialists and summer and after-school programs, as well as $9.8 million this year to support teacher training in the science of reading.
• Computer Science: To ensure every Alabama K-12 school can offer a high-quality computer science course next school year, the budget doubles funding for teacher training from $1 million to $2 million.
• Advanced Placement: The budget protects funding for Advanced Placement courses at a total of $7.4 million to cover the exam fees for low-income students.

“During this time of budgetary uncertainty, we applaud Alabama lawmakers for prioritizing the needs of all students from pre-K through graduation. Prioritizing key investments, such as early literacy programs and courses that prepare students entering the workforce with the skills needed in today’s job market, will set Alabama’s students on a path to success in the classroom and beyond. ExcelinEd in Action appreciates the support of Alabama leaders and A+ Education Partnership who are working diligently to serve Alabama students in this challenging environment.”

Tom Greene, ExcelinEd in Action National Legislative Director

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For more information on the power of transformational education policies, visit ExcelinEd’s policy library.

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“Alabama lawmakers recognize that students need foundational computing skills – and the accompanying critical thinking skills – to succeed in one of the highest growing career fields in Alabama and throughout the United States. ExcelinEd in Action thanks the many leaders who have worked diligently on behalf of Alabama’s students, including Governor Kay Ivey, Representative David Faulkner, Representative Terri Collins, Code.org, the College Board and A+ Education Partnership.”

Nathan Hoffman, Regional Legislative Director, ExcelinEd in Action

The bill now heads to Governor Ivey for her signature.

For more information on the value of college and career pathways, including computer science, visit the ExcelinEd policy library.

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“All students deserve access to computer science courses in K-12 that will equip them with the skills and knowledge needed for Alabama’s high-growth, high-paying jobs. ExcelinEd in Action appreciates the many supporters of this legislation, including Governor Kay Ivey, Rep. David Faulkner, Rep. Terri Collins, Code.org, College Board and A+ Education Partnership.”

Nathan Hoffman, Regional Legislative Director, ExcelinEd in Action

Computing is a foundational skill for K-12 students. It develops students’ computational and critical thinking and teaches them how to create — not just use — new technologies. Computer science is driving job growth and innovation in Alabama and throughout the United States. More than half of projected jobs in STEM fields are in computing occupations, and computer science is one of the most desirable degrees for new college graduates.

The bill now heads to the Senate for consideration.

For more information on the value of college and career pathways, including computer science, visit ExcelinEd’s policy library.

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The Governor signed SB 108, a priority this session for Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, in a ceremony at Cobb County’s Wheeler High School, whose STEM program was recently ranked No. 2 in the nation by Study.com.

Together with $1 million in the 2019-20 budget, the new law will directly benefit students interested in pursuing careers in computer science, while helping those considering jobs in other fields learn logical thinking skills that are valuable in any profession. SB 108 was sponsored by Senate Education Chair P.K. Martin and carried in the House by Rep. Todd Jones.

“We commend Governor Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Duncan, Chair Martin and Rep. Jones for their leadership in preparing today’s students for the 21^st century workforce. We also thank our coalition partners at Code.org, the College Board, GeorgiaCAN, the Georgia Chamber, the Metro Atlanta Chamber, the National Math + Science Initiative, Project Lead the Way and TAG-Ed for their hard work in making today a reality.”

Ryan Mahoney, Senior Legislative Director for ExcelinEd in Action

The post Georgia Governor Signs Comprehensive Computer Science Legislation appeared first on ExcelinEd in Action.

• Computer Science: Legislation by Senate Education Chairman P.K. Martin (SB 108) will make high-quality computer science coursework available to middle and high school students statewide over the next few years, while building a pipeline of qualified teachers to support this expansion. The bill also provides $1 million in funding in the final 2019-2020 state budget.
• Charter Schools:
  • The budget (HB 31) also includes a record $2 million in facilities grant funding for both state and locally authorized charter schools. Coupled with $1.5 million in existing funds and one-time safety grants of $30,000 per school, every Georgia charter school should for the first time receive roughly $70,000 next year to assist with critical facility needs.
  • In other charter news, Representative Dave Belton sponsored legislation (HB 59) to resolve a state ruling that otherwise would have made it difficult for certain charters to attract and retain quality board members. The bill, which passed both the House and Senate unanimously, also makes it easier for military students to enroll in charter schools.
• Tax Credit Scholarships: HB 68, a good governance measure sponsored by Representative John Carson, ensures that organizations granting scholarships to students to attend private schools cannot also accredit schools.
• Early Literacy: SB 48, also by Chairman Martin, creates a statewide screening program to detect dyslexia in kindergarten students and may help identify and support other struggling readers.

“ExcelinEd in Action thanks our many partners in this work, including GeorgiaCAN, Georgia Center for Opportunity, Georgia Chamber, Georgia Charter Schools Association, Georgia Public Policy Foundation, Metro Atlanta Chamber, TAG-Ed, American Federation for Children, Americans for Prosperity, Code.org, College Board and Project Lead The Way.”
Ryan Mahoney, Senior Legislative Director, ExcelinEd in Action

For more information on the power of transformational educational policies, visit ExcelinEd’s policy library.

The post Georgia Lawmakers Pass Student-Centered Policies as 2019 Session Concludes appeared first on ExcelinEd in Action.

H 3759 by House Speaker Jay Lucas and S 419 by Senate Education Chair Greg Hembree include:
Legislators in South Carolina will soon have the chance to enact a bold set of education reforms that will benefit Palmetto State students immediately and into the future under a pair of key bills introduced this week.

H 3759 by House Speaker Jay Lucas and S 419 by Senate Education Chair Greg Hembree include:

• Improved policy and transparency to effectively implement Read to Succeed, helping to ensure students can read on grade level by the end of third grade.
• Investments to give more South Carolina students access to computer science classes and other critical coursework that can better prepare them for college and careers.
• More supports for teachers, greater accountability for school boards and districts, and greater flexibility for the state to intercede if schools fail to meet student needs.

Separately, 53 House members from both parties signed on to support an Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program – H 3681 by Rep. Shannon Erickson – that would allow students with special needs or from low-income, military or foster households to use their share of state funding for a customized education that may include tutoring, school tuition, therapy or instructional materials.

• Improved policy and transparency to effectively implement Read to Succeed, helping to ensure students can read on grade level by the end of third grade.
• Investments to give more South Carolina students access to computer science classes and other critical coursework that can better prepare them for college and careers.
• More supports for teachers, greater accountability for school boards and districts, and greater flexibility for the state to intercede if schools fail to meet student needs.

Separately, 53 House members from both parties signed on to support an Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program – H 3681 by Rep. Shannon Erickson – that would allow students with special needs or from low-income, military or foster households to use their share of state funding for a customized education that may include tutoring, school tuition, therapy or instructional materials.

“South Carolina policymakers are clearly dedicated to doing what is needed to make sure the state’s education system is centered on students rather than archaic processes.

“ExcelinEd in Action appreciates the leadership of House Speaker Jay Lewis, House Education Chair Rita Allison, Senate Education Chair Greg Hembree, Rep. Shannon Erickson and the dozens of members who co-sponsored these forward-thinking bills, and we salute our many partners in this work, including EdChoice, My SC Education, the Palmetto Promise Institute and the South Carolina Catholic Conference.”

Ryan Mahoney, Southeast Legislative Director

For more information on these proven education strategies, please visit the ExcelinEd website.

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Beginning in 2021, the bill requires each public high school to offer a computer science course as a one- semester elective course in its curriculum, at least once each school year. It also establishes the Next Level Computer Science Grant Program and the Next Level Computer Science Fund to award grants to eligible entities to implement teacher professional development programs for training in computer science.

According to Code.org, there is high demand for qualified students with 4,667 open computing jobs in the state with an average salary of $74,459.

“Indiana’s legislators took a huge step toward better preparing our students for 21st century jobs when they cast their vote for this important legislation. As more and more jobs become automated, we will see a significant increase in the number of opportunities for workers skilled in computer science. This policy gives all students access to computer science course work so they are ready to succeed after graduation.

“Furthermore, it ensures Indiana will have a leg up on finding qualified workers for increasingly technical jobs. Congratulations to Sen. Jeff Raatz, our partners at Code.org, and numerous legislators from both sides of the aisle for earning nearly unanimous bipartisan support for this common-sense, yet life-changing, legislation.”

Kim Preston, Midwest Legislative Director for ExcelinEd in Action

For more on the critical need for developing college and career pathways, visit our policy library.

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